[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6338032,"mediaKeyId","2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22","parentId",2270758,"title","Board highlights Laker Leaders mentoring program; recognizes Major David Brown's overseas service","audioSeconds",524,"startMs",1718000,"endMs",2242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22&start=1718&end=2242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22/thumbnail_1718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6338032/Minnesota/Board-highlights-Laker-Leaders-mentoring-program-recognizes-Major-David-Browns-overseas-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338032-aba8aa136920139874fdc23bd61caa44/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873059&Signature=EV1eWtMHYSxAqIbmIiAXEnuTFli5BEowEKFlexAp75iYei0hqFKlz2aaF0tKwxZOlAxerGbiZ62EzBPJh83-mHX-DPqTJNyErk8m0xWh4Zr43Jr3yOV6Pir6jLcIPBZzfENNNYGD2KwtXaBTpzzkgLTlmHPFPH4mEaIJVweBt-Mvry~YQFgxmb3gWsbSo8hUyo3SLSV0fvXzXRf0tYGcl1usEz8qYgP0UFwYRQnizHvRP5CG04t8J-bdVKIOoki0O8Nn0qgQ9Dc~AZEKVFDT2YJ~Q2WR9-bkywK8OLhIoMLHfaemtmcCu-QGaMl~eMnWu2UirYjMCy8cZsTTJ6D94w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS","date","2025-02-11T16:07:54Z","article","Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools' board meeting included a student spotlight on a mentoring program that pairs high‑school \"Laker Leaders\" with fourth‑grade students and a recognition of Major David Brown, an ALC staff member recently deployed overseas.

Principal presenter Prince Kaczynski described a program that connected six high‑school students with fourth‑grade boys across six visits for relationship‑building and leadership activities. Students described the program in their own words: \"My name is Jake, and I like the program because it was nice to meet people, different people, and it had exciting stuff for us to do,\" one student said. Another student said the mentors \"could share their thoughts on what to do because they've been through these type of situations.\"

The board also honored Major David Brown, a Bridges Area Learning Center staff member who recently returned from deployment. Brown told the board his deployment experiences reinforced his appreciation for U.S. public education and noted he had served alongside a Bridges graduate overseas. \"Our public schools, ladies and gentlemen, are the great equalizer in The United States,\" Brown said, thanking district leadership for support during his military service.

Ending: The board presented certificates of appreciation to participating students and recognized Brown's service; administrators said the mentoring program is planned to continue and that more updates will follow.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 10, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","The board heard a student spotlight on a high‑school mentoring program that paired Laker Leaders with fourth‑grade students and recognized Major David Brown, an ALC staff member recently returned from deployment.","taxTitle","PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",38260,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338036,"Board accepts $2,000 Mortenson donation and roughly 1‑acre property behind Redtail Ridge Elementary",89,1625000,1714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22&start=1625&end=1714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22/thumbnail_1625000.jpg","/articles/6338036/Minnesota/Board-accepts-2000-Mortenson-donation-and-roughly-1acre-property-behind-Redtail-Ridge-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338036-088fa8432efc7a25aa4249dc7bcd0c99/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873059&Signature=J5Hn0AZcqJJo-SfFfvNREcKfTHRMhuOjae2S62fFh~KmZ4KTy4KzFW1l6l5bi6p7BFOwxXzJmGYMy4I1tAVyY~G0dCx07W3Hqi4QBZzWSyDfU0H6hgOkAgx3JmO6MQmuNStu3qulS4LpmdW50XuTygOGcI1OY2oRBTAsuNnv7HVSYpkD0rIfSjlc9oQBJrn-lb~sjMCH8dZPy8H8JjDwd2V0Cwz1Q5~Xs4tJ-gtuHXzd7-fO5BlkHL6n2LovT2UKmQHD4bjvXjqYJ21B0GKeJkYFOqqqw9~DnwlfblNAhJNHzOTBwDI2imI07c9SL4JEValFZ5tNZ8gFljZOOjAxhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board voted unanimously Monday to accept two gifts: $2,000 from Mortenson Company for supplies for the Mincaps trades program, and a donation of real property behind Redtail Ridge Elementary School from Nancy Schonweder valued at approximately $16,000.

The Mortenson donation was approved by voice vote after a motion by Director Amy and a second by Director Charles. Chair White called the roll for the donation of real property, and the board approved the property acceptance by roll‑call vote, 7‑0, with expressions of gratitude.

Administrative notes: The Mortenson gift will be used for supplies for the Mincaps trades program. The property donation was described as \"a little bit over an acre\" located just behind Redtail Ridge Elementary and was announced with the board's gratitude to the donor.

Votes: Motion to accept Mortenson donation — moved by Amy, second Charles; motion carries 7‑0. Motion to accept Nancy Schonweder real property donation — moved by Lisa, second Amy; roll‑call vote 7‑0.

Ending: The board thanked the donors and said staff will follow the usual acceptance and recording procedures for monetary and real‑property gifts.","The board unanimously accepted a $2,000 donation from Mortenson Company for the Mincaps trades program and accepted a donation of approximately 1.01 acres of real property from Nancy Schonweder valued at about $16,000.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338041,"Board approves check detail and financial report; asks for rolling monthly forecast and clarifications",668,569000,1237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22&start=569&end=1237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22/thumbnail_569000.jpg","/articles/6338041/Minnesota/Board-approves-check-detail-and-financial-report-asks-for-rolling-monthly-forecast-and-clarifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338041-95f58328bcac6ca75a5840723a2eb974/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873059&Signature=Y~KZtfrNoL6W12PbtvvbG0v4qeB1WMhcvQESIzlmWV0mhuPewzC-f7W952Hx1x-g0rlrUy45kGOanzpwiDwEIyA4a1pIo~DCaJXphMlpEOyqwM7aFfQ9la4lZAssY99j1MQciAPuXZgD6Ruoh2Yj4p91fyPRj4QwQcegTbCi6ntJJgyVWqG3BT~yxDMxKuziFO4H6oFrj3DOMNYzFjRxsmbUyB-E1pu~vSs~Y-kMy3~kHwD7TQ~uHdo6W9viBJM-lY-0yxvIY2ftYelrOn~D~h49TpZwguOqyrxdhwFrKBn6xtqJ-6UAsY2uFA7MjCAKxW-zMdm4DU7aqONy0-f5zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on Monday approved the district's monthly check detail and financial report and instructed finance staff to provide a more digestible rolling monthly forecast and related materials.

Votes: The motion to approve the monthly check detail passed 7‑0 after a brief discussion; a subsequent vote to approve the monthly financial report also passed 7‑0.

Auditor invoices: A director asked why the district received two invoices from the auditor, MMKR, for roughly $18,500 and $11,200 and whether the audit is required. Director Frederickson (finance) replied that an annual external audit is statutorily required and that the vendor billed separately for two bodies of audit work, including post‑audit follow up.

CPM training and curriculum questions: Directors requested clarification about a payment to CPM (a curriculum/publisher) that appeared on the check register. Administrators explained the payments covered an outside trainer who presented instructional math strategies for high‑school teachers, not high‑school adoption of the CPM curriculum. \"This was more broad instructional strategies aligned with the state standards,\" said an administrator.

Rolling forecast and reporting cadence: Several directors asked for a concise monthly rolling forecast showing actuals vs. forecast and flagged the volatility of education funding. Administrators explained that official financial statements are typically one month behind because bank reconciliations and certain state runs are not available immediately; MDE payments are published twice monthly and Skyward data runs can be used for interim reporting. The board asked Treasurer Director Frederickson and staff member Tammy to work together to produce a one‑page rolling budget that highlights whether the district is tracking to plan and to provide the materials in advance of the Feb. 24 study session.

Memberships and partnerships: Directors also discussed the district's Rotary membership and other civic partnerships such as the Chamber of Commerce, MSBA and AMSD. The administration said superintendent and other leaders historically hold individual Rotary memberships as one of several community engagement activities; board members suggested a future study session to review membership dues and partnerships.

Ending: Finance staff will return with the requested rolling forecast and a companion explanation of timing and volatility ahead of the Feb. 24 session.","The board approved the monthly check detail and the monthly financial report, heard questions about split auditor invoices and membership dues, and directed finance staff to develop a one‑page rolling budget/forecast for future meetings.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338044,"Board adopts 2025 legislative platform after talks on assessment task force and funding formula",2273,3687000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22&start=3687&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22/thumbnail_3687000.jpg","/articles/6338044/Minnesota/Board-adopts-2025-legislative-platform-after-talks-on-assessment-task-force-and-funding-formula","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338044-03728b0c1680d3310ab00178f9c6b210/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873059&Signature=N7~EypEfQhqKE3BqaDkoYpt~QnGQhlN1m377hWGWW39bAhH5CVjxJumnEbP6DaTEYoHDgduJK6PC91e27MnfI38~S57sJHXIFPJTdKv9j5QcXyHzR4IkSVY0j0-gxpzaVEZvKJQw2QGd~hxCYM15-5hIChVRZf36Rv6o795T-4mVjEEdrI55lwn4TcukBeQuGcHChi5x-t50CKjyN9VtHFotl6PbTi5L3Y~54EI8~OO3MpVAKpWFwFQfHPl3Sx0KzngpO3~EWTb5PmRCEyAEEth62yag5K0ISTppeGLpOM3ERbbSwXoW5cH4haVIOss4S~IbK8wxKAcmDOFZQzz48A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on Monday approved a revised 2025 legislative platform that asks the Legislature to establish a K‑12 assessment review task force and to address long‑standing school funding issues, including the state's basic education formula.

The motion to adopt the platform with the agreed edits passed 7‑0.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Thomas said the platform remains aligned with statewide groups and that administrators will supply a companion document with dollar estimates for key mandates. \"We'll have the space that would just be one sentence now,\" he said when describing the condensed language and promised a companion Word document with cost estimates.

Task force and assessments: Board members debated language calling for a K‑12 assessment review task force to \"evaluate current testing requirements\" and to ensure assessments better support student learning and outcomes. Several directors stressed that the aim is to convene a statewide group to examine whether current tests measure the standards the state expects teachers to teach.

Funding formula and mandates: Directors also agreed to call for a review of the state's basic education formula, which the platform notes has not been substantially revised since 1971. The board directed administrators to lead with a request for a modest near‑term increase (administration suggested a 3% boost over current funding for 2026–27 and a $250 per‑student increase to the local optional revenue rate) and to recommend creation of a task force to study the formula's structural issues.

Mandates and cost estimates: Directors identified several unfunded or underfunded state requirements they want prioritized, naming the REED Act, ESST and summer unemployment as examples; paid family medical leave was also raised as a significant potential financial and operational risk. Finance staff will prepare potential risk figures for the platform one‑pager; administration said the platform should lead with potential risks, with more detailed ranges available on a cheat‑sheet for board members.

Vote: Director Amy moved adoption of the platform with the agreed changes; Director Charles seconded. The board voted 7‑0.

Ending: Administrators said they will circulate a final one‑page platform and an accompanying document with cost calculations to board members and legislative contacts before the district's advocacy meetings.","The Prior Lake‑Savage board unanimously approved a condensed 2025 legislative platform that calls for a K‑12 assessment review task force and urges changes to the state funding formula and several unfunded mandates; the board asked the administration to include dollar estimates on a companion one‑pager.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6338047,"Prior Lake‑Savage board shifts budget timeline, seeks clear direction at Feb. 24 study session",1016,2584000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22&start=2584&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2270758-c17ce075b84d0c9487bc56e1e9ec0e22/thumbnail_2584000.jpg","/articles/6338047/Minnesota/Prior-LakeSavage-board-shifts-budget-timeline-seeks-clear-direction-at-Feb-24-study-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6338047-53d38faea601ab373a6ebe9833b3ee85/orig.mp4?Expires=1775873059&Signature=n-a2KzJZgZHKQrbb2MXDSddSmmSRIBCjyheN~qkafn~0NnmdSg0gJ5sPrxJK-TK5bQY5l9XQx74qUzPvrNHnUozaQoccrMBa~SclBmozY9uB2igL~O5bX0e2tWFP7QxjjBpE2~GmunKj6LJ1rmKoAgKicothn5fEQphuEtGCteRAqS-vryisy3UptJ0u1GosApWsK6LSMJQg5b4ucaJXC2ed~AHUb4krJL8xCDHIrNeGiAzc2P0P6kqHQkp1kR6cI0mfLuxcc0ySEP8y911dysv4lYR~rp9E57eJ-hy8PIRvePS9dPo2e4nLJUkydx38qmp151D9T6xLqGISQbC8kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board on Monday approved a revised timeline for the 2025–26 budget process and asked district administrators to return at a Feb. 24 study session with clearer options and the board's directional request on proposed reductions.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Thomas told the board that allocations to schools will go out the week of March 7 and that the district has pushed the staffing and allocation schedule back by about two weeks. \"We'll have the study session on February 24 where we'll be asking for kind of a thumbs to give us direction for that final allocation,\" Thomas said.

Why it matters: The board is balancing service and staffing decisions against a multi‑million‑dollar target the administration said it must meet. Directors repeatedly pressed for more time, detail and clarity so they can provide a firm \"will of the board\" before final recommendations are adopted.

Board members and administrators described the practical implications. Dr. Thomas and other staff said some staffing decisions have to wrap around registration and FTE calculations. A director asked whether high‑school enrollment and FTE estimates would be ready in time; staff said registration will be complete but a department‑by‑department FTE breakdown will not be available until early March.

Directors said they want the study session to be the forum where the board provides clear direction. Several asked for itemized line‑by‑line presentations rather than omnibus groupings to make tradeoffs easier to evaluate. Thomas replied that the administration will prioritize staffing items in the upcoming packet so building staffing protocols can move forward while the board considers other reductions.

Board members also raised concerns about process and public notice: one director said community members had asked for clearer direction after the previous meeting, and urged the administration to allow enough time for public and board review. Thomas committed to providing the revised materials to the board by the Monday before the Feb. 24 meeting and to \"take whatever time is necessary\" at the study session to secure board consensus.

Ending: Administrators said more detailed materials and scheduling refinements will be distributed in advance of the Feb. 24 study session; allocations to building leaders are slated to be sent the week of March 7.","The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board moved key budget dates back by about two weeks and told administrators to return Feb. 24 with more detail and a request for the board's directional support on proposed reductions tied to a roughly $4 million target.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board highlights Laker Leaders mentoring program; recognizes Major David Brown's overseas service

Board accepts $2,000 Mortenson donation and roughly 1‑acre property behind Redtail Ridge Elementary

Board approves check detail and financial report; asks for rolling monthly forecast and clarifications

Board adopts 2025 legislative platform after talks on assessment task force and funding formula

Prior Lake‑Savage board shifts budget timeline, seeks clear direction at Feb. 24 study session